China's manned space program delegation visits Hong Kong, Macao SARs

Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), delivers a speech during a press conference in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 28, 2023. A delegation of China's manned space program is on a six-day visit to Hong Kong and Macao from Tuesday to Sunday at the invitation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and the Macao SAR government, according to the CMSA. (Xinhua/Lui Sui Wai)

HONG KONG, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of China's manned space program is on a six-day visit to Hong Kong and Macao from Tuesday to Sunday at the invitation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and the Macao SAR government, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The delegation is led by Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the CMSA. Members of the delegation include astronauts who participated in the construction of the Chinese space station, including Shenzhou-12 astronaut Liu Boming, Shenzhou-13 astronaut Wang Yaping, Shenzhou-14 astronaut Chen Dong, Shenzhou-15 astronaut Zhang Lu, as well as experts from related fields of the manned space engineering systems.

John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, extended his warm welcome to the delegation, and gave thanks to the Central People's Government for the arrangements.

Lee said the China manned space program has made extraordinary achievements over the past three decades, and it has made history by realizing the Chinese nation's millennium-long dream of flying to the stars, of which we as Chinese are all profoundly proud.

Through the delegation's visit, Hong Kong residents can share the nation's pride in China's manned space development from close range, and develop a deeper understanding of the country's developments in aerospace technologies, he said.

On Tuesday afternoon, the delegation attended a media briefing to introduce the latest developments of the China manned space program and take questions from the press.

Lin said at the media briefing that in previous missions, Hong Kong and Macao have participated in the construction of the country's manned space program on many occasions.

Concerning the current mission, all walks of life in Hong Kong and Macao have also actively participated in activities such as the payload specialist selection for the country's manned space program, Lin said.

"We clearly feel that the involvement of the HKSAR and the Macao SAR is getting broader and deeper," he said.

During the visit, the delegation will also officiate at the opening ceremony of the "China Manned Space Exhibition," and meet with representatives of Hong Kong's innovation and technology sector, as well as teachers and students from tertiary, secondary and primary schools for exchanges.

The delegation will also attend a variety show to be held in its honor at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

This photo taken on Nov. 28, 2023 shows people looking at a high resolution panorama image displaying the space station taken from Shenzhou-16 manned spaceship during a press conference in Hong Kong, south China. A delegation of China's manned space program is on a six-day visit to Hong Kong and Macao from Tuesday to Sunday at the invitation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and the Macao SAR government, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). (Xinhua/Lui Sui Wai)